An Anniversary Worth Noting

June 2009 marked our fourth year in serving as full-time faith supported missionaries! It has been an exciting and challenging journey for our family!

This morning as the kids and I were having our Bible time, I read to them about Abram (who later became Abraham). It struck me that Dano has a lot in common with Abram.

Once upon a time, Dano had a great career in the Navy. He was the best at what he did. He was sought after. He was a leader, an instructor, the one people came to when they needed help. This career had benefits, good pay, and job security. He did not reenlist in 2003 because he was taking a step of faith to begin our mission career. By not reenlisting, he gave up a "nice" reenlistment bonus; he gave up the opportunity for future achievements; he gave up his eligibility for retirement in just seven years from that date. Instead, he took a civilian job doing something similar while we began raising our team of partners to support us in our mission career. He worked at that job for one and a half years while we found our partners and waited for Emma's arrival. Then in June 2005, we moved to Ohio to begin our adventure as full-time faith supported missionaries.

Just like Abram, Dano took his family and left all that we had in Texas… a great career, a new home, a wonderful church family, and faithful friends. We knew we were headed to Ohio to serve with MMS Aviation, but we didn't know where our journey would lead long term. We were just taking the next step. Two years ago this June, we took the next step by moving to the Carolinas to begin volunteering with JAARS/Wycliffe. Then this past September, the next step was membership with Wycliffe. We are currently waiting on our next two steps of training… the first begins in August, the next should start in February. The step after that? Only God knows!

Have we ever regretted this new journey? No! Have we ever questioned it? Yes, especially when challenges come! Thankfully, we've been able to look back and see God's faithfulness and know that we are on the right path! Hopefully we haven't made some of the mistakes Abram did on his journey, but we are far from living in perfect obedience. We are thankful for God's Grace and love. We are thankful for His faithfulness, and we are thankful for those of you who have come beside us on this journey through prayer and/or finances. We could not be on this journey without your faithfulness! Thank you!

I know I am thankful for a husband who has a strength that many don't possess. He had FAITH like Abram to start this journey, and he has the FAITH to keep us on this journey of obedience even during the challenging times. I love my husband. I am blessed.

Blessings to you,

Melinda =0)